Welcome to My ACL Recovery Journey (Take Two)

Welcome to My ACL Recovery Journey (Take Two)

Real stories, real setbacks, and getting back up — literally.

Hi, I’m Cassandra — a working mom, former horse trainer, and someone who has now torn her ACL twice in less than a year. This isn’t exactly the blog I dreamed of writing… but here we are.

I decided to start this space not because I’m a pro athlete or fitness guru — I’m not — but because I’ve learned how life-changing (and mentally exhausting) an ACL injury can be, especially when you're juggling work, family, and the hope of returning to a life that feels normal again.

The First Fall: July 7, 2024

I tore my ACL for the first time while playing sand volleyball with my daughters at our campground. It was a friendly game against another family, and I went diving for a ball — the kind of carefree moment you don’t think twice about — until your knee buckles and you just know something isn’t right.

The MRI confirmed it: a full ACL tear.

I opted for the BEAR ACL procedure (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration) — a newer, promising alternative to traditional reconstruction. I was hopeful. I worked hard in PT. And for months, it really did feel like things were heading in the right direction.

The Second Fall: A Bug. A Bike. A Crash.

Fast-forward to one of my first bike rides back, May of 2025. I was finally feeling strong enough to ride again.

Then a bug flew straight into my eye.

I lost control, flew over my handlebars, and landed on my surgically repaired leg. I knew immediately: it was torn again. This wasn’t a case of the BEAR failing — the surgery had worked. I just had the terrible luck of getting re-injured in a totally different accident.

This time, I went with traditional ACL reconstruction.

Who This Blog Is For

I'm not here to offer medical advice. I’m not a physical therapist or fitness coach. I work a fairly sedentary job. I’m active with my kids. I ride horses for fun. I just happen to be someone who’s gone through two ACL surgeries in one year and knows how isolating, frustrating, and emotional that journey can be.

This blog is for:

• People recovering from ACL injuries (BEAR or traditional)

• People recovering from other injuries that reduce mobility

• Moms trying to stay active with limitations

• Anyone looking for honest, real-life stories about healing and setbacks

• Formerly active people who suddenly find themselves couch-bound

What to Expect

I’ll be sharing:

• Weekly progress updates — the highs and the hard days

• Honest insights from a second-timer’s perspective

• Tips for balancing recovery with parenting and work

• Products that helped me (and a few that didn’t)

• How I’ve stayed emotionally grounded through it all (well… mostly)

The Hard Truth

Recovery isn’t just physical — it’s mental. You go from being able to chase your kids around to counting steps between the couch and the fridge. And when you re-tear your ACL just as you're starting to feel like yourself again? It’s devastating.

But I’m not done. And if you’re here, maybe you’re not either.

Let’s get through this together — one ice pack and PT stretch at a time.

💬 Drop a comment if you’re going through something similar or if there's a topic you'd like me to cover. I’d love to connect.